Sleeping Easier: Family just one of many assisted by bed ministry

TEMPERANCE — Hope and Brandon Fritz are a happy young couple with three small children. For the past several months, those children have had to sleep on mattresses on the floor in their tidy and clean Temper­ance apartment.

That’s changed now because last week a local program came to the rescue and delivered beds for the children.

“The kids love them,” Mrs. Fritz said. “The program is amazing.”

The couple is grateful for the help and is working through the struggles that got them to this point in life.

Their youngest, 2-year-old Noah, has a lung disease and required $1.3 million in medical treatment to provide the proper care he needed as an infant. Mr. Fritz has a job as a security guard at the To­ledo Zoo — a good job he says he’s grateful for, but it just doesn’t pay enough to raise a family of five.

But he’s not complaining. Despite the problems he encountered in the Air Force, the lack of career opportunities in the area and the health struggles, the couple smiles easily, laughs often and keeps spirits high.

“We’re probably the happiest poor people around,” Mrs. Fritz said with a smile. “ We have a bank account, but there’s just nothing in it. Right now, we just need a little help.”

They received a little of that help from the Now I Lay Me Down ministry that provides beds for Monroe County children in need. Based at First Presbyterian Church in downtown Monroe, the program has delivered almost 2,000 beds to those who need them — like the Fritzes — since it began in 2001.

Last week, the ministry held its fifth annual bed race and raised $30,000.

But organizer Kim Hooper said the ministry needs $45,000 to provide enough beds and cribs to meet the demand.

“We’re happy to get to that point,” Mr. Hooper said. “But there is a need for more.”

Church volunteers distribute and set up the beds. At the Fritz home, the girls, Makenzee, 6, and Bralynn, 3, received sturdy bunk beds, while Noah got his “big boy bed” with a picture of Elmo on the headboard.

For a while, it didn’t seem like the couple needed any help. After they met at Cabela’s, where they both worked, they fell in love, got married and started a family. Mrs. Fritz grew up in Temperance, and her husband came from Mattawan in the Kalamazoo area.

In 2008, he joined the Air Force, and after basic training they moved to Wyoming. At first, all was well. Mrs. Fritz stayed home with the children while her husband worked guarding nuclear weapons. Even though he was gone a lot, the family had stability.

“It was fantastic,” Mr. Fritz said. “ We didn’t have to worry about anything.” But in 2009, Mr. Fritz fell down some stairs and hurt his knee and suffered a herniated a disk in his back. He was off six months on light duty, and that didn’t sit well with some of his coworkers.

“People look down on you like you’re scum,” he said. “They viewed me as lazy. After a while, they got sick and tired of me.”

In September, 2010, Noah was born, the couple’s third child. There were serious complications, and trips to Colorado were necessary for proper hospital care. His health was a struggle, and the baby needed continuous oxygen. Someone in the military suggested they remove the oxygen from the baby.

“I threw a fit,” Mrs. Fritz said. “They said we should let our son pass away.”

Meanwhile, Mr. Fritz tried to get reassigned so he could help his wife travel long distances to a hospital in area known for blizzards and dangerous mountain roads. He also asked to be moved to another base, but his requests repeatedly were denied.

“We’re in the middle of nowhere,” Mrs. Fritz said.

“And I had no way to get to Colorado by myself.”

Eventually Mr. Fritz was honorably discharged after 2½ years. During his time in the military, he earned several awards and medals for his dedication and service.

“I don’t blame the Air Force, I don’t blame the military, I blame the lack of command,” he said. “I wanted to stay in.”

They packed up the car, and in March, 2011, the family arrived in Temperance and eventually moved into their Crosscreeks apartment.

“We had nothing,” Mr. Fritz said. “I didn’t even have a job.”

He wants to pursue a career in law enforcement, but the job market is difficult. He says the security job definitely helps, but it’s just not enough.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Fritz takes care of the children, keeping an especially close eye on Noah, who is doing much better.

“I’m afraid to leave him,” she said. “I’m really protective.”

So they get by with what they have, and for a time the kids had to sleep on mattresses on the floor. Then last month the volunteers from First Presbyterian arrived and the bedrooms were completed. The kids finally had their own beds.

“It was a special feeling,” Mrs. Fritz said.

“They felt safe.”

For the couple, who are both 25, they believe that times will get better. They are confident Mr. Fritz will find a career that will provide not luxuries but comfort. In the meantime, they’ll enjoy life and their family as best they can.

“I know it’s not going to be like this forever,” Mr. Fritz said. “Everyone goes through trials and tribulations. As long as we have each other.”

To donate to the Bed Race to Aid Children, which supports the Now I Lay Me Down ministry, visit www.bedracetoaidchildren.org You can also see a photo gallery, video and article from the 2012 Monroe County Bed Race to Aid Children in the monroenews archives.

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